HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS SUBJECTIVE HEARING ON RFS

JUNE 2013

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(Posted Wed. Jun 5th, 2013)

Jun. 5: Today, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements held a subjective hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard and the blend wall. The hearing did not invite representatives from the renewable fuel industry to testify and was not announced until late Friday evening.

“It was a disappointment to hear the outcome of today’s hearing on the RFS and blend wall,” NCGA Ethanol Committee Chair Chad Willis said. “During the summer months, when gas prices are typically the highest, consumers could have benefitted from a balanced discussion on the future and positive impacts of the renewable fuel industry. Unfortunately all we saw today were mistruths and a one-sided agenda.”

While some positive comments were made by a few members of the subcommittee, the majority of testimony and discussion focused on misguided and previously refuted allegations. This includes Subcommittee Chairman James Lankford’s (R-OK) opening remarks stating the RFS is not meeting its original purpose.

“This hearing is the perfect reminder to farmers that we need to diligent in contacting Congress and sharing the positives of the renewable fuel industry,” Willis said. “While we were denied the opportunity to testify before the committee on this issue, it is imperative we contact our members in the House and Senate and express the importance of this issue to our farms, our communities and our country.”